Phnom Pehn, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Phnom Pehn Jason & Kirstyn O After almost 3 months we finally got to see the ocean again, very refreshing site after being landlocked in Laos for the previous month. Sihanoukville is another tourist mecca (by Cambodian standards), with many beautiful white sandy beaches, turqouise water and a million touts selling bracelets ("You buy bracelet, maybe later okay?"). We spent our first day roasting in the sun on deck chairs on Serendipity beach, hence we both looked much like our lunch time l [View Full Entry]

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Siem Reap - Phnom Pehn Jason & Kirstyn O Caught a bus to the capital city, Phnom Pehn......a large bustling city still bearing scars of the war years with large rich houses amongst the poorer slums. The differences in class are very apparent here from the homeless beggars on the street to the rich people driving Mercedes and brand new Landcruisers (we also saw a Lamborrghini Diablo). It is also very busy here making it difficult to cross the road. There is only one road rule which seems to be strongly obeyed: Give way to La [View Full Entry]

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Kratie - Siem Reap Jason & Kirstyn O Another long day riding a bus (getting used to it now) to get to Siem Reap - the home of the World Heritage Listed Angkor Wat temples. We were picked up off the bus (in a secure compound to limit the no. of drivers there) by a Remorque (motorbike with trailer with seats on back) whose driver, Arong, told us we were his first job in two weeks. They only get a job every 2-3 weeks as there are so many of them trying to find work. He owns his motorbike and [View Full Entry]

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4,000 Islands - Kratie Jason & Kirstyn O To say the border crossing into Cambodia was bizarre would be an understatement. After a ferry across from the island we piled into a minivan and drove the five or so kms to the border. After a few kms we turned down a small dirt track, shrowded by forest each side and littered with pot holes (like the hills of Phonsovan). Added to this was the fact they were filled with water from last nights storm and so resembled small lakes! At this stage we wondered whether we were really crossi [View Full Entry]

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Pakse to Don Det (4,000 islands) Jason & Kirstyn O Found out that another early start was needed as only one 6 am sangtheaw. With time on our visa getting short we had to do it! Lovely dinner that night (absolutely starving) with some slightly suspect Beer Lao (??sweated - limited electricity) and off to bed early! Dragged ourselves out of bed and carried our gear out to the road for the Sangthaew. Was absolutely chockers with gear and people. At one stage we counted 32 people with a least 3 on the roof (they comfortably se [View Full Entry]

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Vientiane to Kong Lor Cave then down to Pakse Vientiane to Kong Lor Cave then down to Pakse Jason & Kirstyn O Well we left Vientiane behind to venture more remotely to find and explore the less visited Tham Lot Kong Lor (Kong Lor Cave). Caught a local bus, which at first was rather roomy! Unfortunately 50,000 locals clambered in just around the corner (they must get a cheaper ticket there?) and so the aisles were packed with people leaning all over Kirstyn. Needless to say we were very glad [View Full Entry]

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Vang Vieng - Vientiane Jason & Kirstyn O Caught a bus, full of tourists from Vang Vieng in the morning and arrived around lunch time to the Capital city Vientiane. Trudged around in the scorching heat trying to find some reasonable accommodation (much more expensive here) and eventually settled on a splurge room with air conditioning, private bathroom and sattelite TV!! Very expensive though.... a whopping $12US a night, funny how your perception changes so quickly. Vientiane is very westernised. As with Luang Prabang the F [View Full Entry]

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Phonsavan - Vang Vieng Jason & Kirstyn O Another long bus journey from Phonsavan to Vang Vieng. What a surprise was awaiting us in Vang Vieng. The best way to describe this place is kind of like Disney Land on drugs.....with absolutely amazing scenery!!! When we arrived they were celebrating the Rocket Festival so there was plenty of action in the skies and plenty of intoxicated locals out partying later that night. Vang Vieng is situated on Nam Ou (River) with huge Kaarst peaks surrounding flat planes. It is a very very [View Full Entry]

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Luang Prabang - Phonsavan Jason & Kirstyn O Spent one more night in Luang Prabang before heading south east to Phonsavan. The bus ride was an easy eight hours on a rickety old bus, but luckily not too many people aboard so we were able to stretch our legs. It was a very windy road on the way there through the mountains passing lots of hilltribe villages on the way. A lovely trip! From Phonsavan we based ourselves for a few days to explore the Plane of Jars. Booked a tour with a man who was extremely passionate about the [View Full Entry]

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Luang Prabang, Nong Khiawn Muang Ngoi Nuea, Luang Prabang Jason & Kirstyn O Travelled by local bus (no chickens) to Nong Khiaw. From here we caught a boat up the Nam Ou (River) to the tiny village of Muang Ngoi Neua. The boat was more like an oversized wooden canoe and the driver was very adept at getting us up the rapids without tipping us out! Muang Ngoi Neua has a population under 1000 people and there is only really one main dirt street in town. We found it to be one of the most relaxing places we have found [View Full Entry]

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